The 麻豆夜市 awarded degrees to 1,218 graduates during Fall 2017 Commencement ceremonies on Friday.
Bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees were conferred at ceremonies that were held at different campus locations on Friday.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, congratulated graduates for reaching 鈥渢he finish line. Today is your victory lap,鈥 he said. Savoie also encouraged graduates to, starting tomorrow, 鈥渓ace up their running shoes and live a life that inspires someone.鈥
鈥淭here may be people who one day will need your help to reach their own finish line. You should be their coach. Motivate them and cheer them on from the sidelines when they take their own victory lap.鈥
Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco delivered the Commencement address. Blanco, 鈥64, also received an honorary doctorate in liberal arts. She is the first and only woman to serve as governor of Louisiana. She took office in 2004.
During her term, Blanco directed the largest investment increase in higher education in state history. She expanded the state鈥檚 pre-K program and fully funded Louisiana鈥檚 colleges and universities for the first time in 25 years.
Blanco told graduates that although one chapter of their education is over, a new one is set to begin.
鈥淣ow, you鈥檙e just going to begin learning again. Learning never ends. There鈥檚 a whole life out there. And Louisiana has a lot of work for you to do. If you end up staying in Louisiana, God bless you,鈥 she said.
Longtime business and community leader B.I. Moody III received an honorary doctorate in business at the General Assembly.
Moody graduated from the University in 1949, with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting. He is chairman of The Moody Company and of Louisiana State Newspapers Inc.
Moody earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting from the University in 1949. He is also a longtime supporter of his alma mater. In February, Moody was honored by the academic college that bears his name: the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Peace Eze was recognized as the University鈥檚 2017 Outstanding Graduate. Annie B. Briley was recognized as the Outstanding Master鈥檚 Graduate. Eze majored in geology major. Briley earned an MBA.
Four undergraduate students were recognized as summa cum laude graduates. Courtney Marie Bergeron, Alyssa Claire Leger, Claire Nicole David and Kayla Renee Garrett were singled out for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
View a list of Fall 2017 graduates.